Richard Louis Penland

Dick was born in Los Alamos, New Mexico to Bob and Mary Penland, where he graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1969. He went on to earn three degrees: a Bachelor's in Psychology from Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU), a Master's in Counseling from North Texas State University (now Texas A&M at Commerce), and an MBA from Illinois State University. It was at Illinois State where he met the love of his life, Joyce. This August would have marked 45 years of marriage.

Dick began his career in higher education at ENMU, where he served as an RA and developed a passion for supporting students. He went on to serve as Head Resident of the Jester men's residence hall at the University of Texas, where he was fond of mentioning that football legend Earl Campbell once lived on his floor, before being recruited to Illinois State as Assistant Director of Residential Life Programming, overseeing programs for nearly 8,000 student residents.

After completing his MBA, Dick and Joyce made a new start in San Antonio, where Dick joined Gulf Printing Company as a sales representative in 1984. His work with USAA as a primary client led to an opportunity he would treasure for the rest of his life. As Dick put it, "I spent 22 years at USAA, and it was the best job I ever held at one of the best companies in the U.S. I feel very blessed to have worked there." He retired from USAA in 2019.

Dick's faith was not a Sunday commitment. It shaped how he treated every person he encountered. For more than 30 years, he and Joyce have been devoted members of University Methodist Church, where together they served as ushers, communion servers, Sunday School teachers, and youth group leaders. He treasured being part of a long-time couples' Bible Study and hosted a men's Thursday Morning Bible Study for many years.

That same spirit of service extended well beyond the church walls. Dick spent many hours with the USAA volunteer corps, served meals at Blueprint Ministries, and was a faithful volunteer at Magdalena House. He was a 20+-gallon blood donor at the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center, and when his brother Bob developed leukemia, Dick stepped forward as his primary stem cell donor without hesitation.

He showed up for family just as faithfully. During their son Nate's many sports activities, Dick kept scores, helped with lineups, and could always be counted on to hand laminated team rosters to every parent on the sideline. He was also the beloved "pool boy" to Joyce's Chica group, faithfully delivering breakfast tacos after their morning swims at the Inwood pool.

Dick loved photography, technology, and woodworking, but most of all he loved being with his family and friends. He was "Dad" to Nate, "Baba" to his grandkids, "Dickie Lou" to relatives, and "Dick Dock" to his nieces. He was a loving, kind-hearted man who was a friend to all, and everyone who knew him is richer for it.

Dick is rejoicing in heaven with his father, mother, brother, and other cherished relatives. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Joyce (Webb) Penland; his son Nathan and wife Jenna of Houston; his four precious grandchildren, Harper, Addison, Jack, and Ben; and his sisters Martha Kruger and husband Joe of Fair Oaks Ranch, and Sue Penland of Aurora, Colorado.

He will be dearly missed and never forgotten.

The family would like to thank all the friends and relatives who prayed for and encouraged Dick, Joyce, and Nathan throughout the past years. They are forever grateful for your love and support. Memorial gifts may be made in Dick's memory to Blueprint Ministries, Magdalena House Ministries, or to the charity of your choice.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX.